FODMAP stands for Fermentable Oligosaccharides, Disaccharides, Monosaccharides, and Polyols.

These are short-chain carbohydrates that are poorly absorbed in the small intestine and can ferment in your colon. For many people - especially those with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome) - this fermentation can cause uncomfortable symptoms like:

When you see a FODMAP indicator on your food logs in Balloon, it's showing whether the foods you're eating are high or low in these fermentable carbohydrates.

A low-FODMAP diet limits these hard-to-digest carbs. It's most commonly used by people with digestive conditions like IBS and is typically followed as a short-term elimination diet to identify which specific foods trigger your symptoms. Once you've figured out your personal triggers, foods are gradually reintroduced to create a diet that works for you.

If you don't have any gut issues, you usually don't need to avoid high-FODMAP foods.